No matter what the season may be, skin protection from the sun is essential. Don’t believe anyone who tells you that you only need to wear sunscreen during summer. The truth is, you need to protect your skin from the harsh effects of sun exposure throughout the year. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself dealing with skin spots, wrinkles, and other damages in the near future.
An effective anti-aging skincare regimen includes sunscreen with high enough SPF. Applying sunscreen religiously is actually one of the best ways to prevent premature aging of the skin. But like most people, you might be wondering if that’s all you need to do to ensure that your skin doesn’t get damaged by the sun. Well, while applying sunscreen remains the smartest thing you can do, there are other things that could add extra layers of protection: Here are some of them:
Use Sunglasses
It’s not just your skin that needs protection. Whenever you’re out, make sure you shield your eyes from the UV rays of the sun as they can result in eye problems like cataracts. You don’t need to get the most expensive pair, only ones that could block 99% or, better yet, 100% UVA and UVB rays.
Opt for Protective Clothes
Apart from applying sunscreen lotion, you should also wear long-sleeved shirts, trousers, and hats when it’s scorching. Hats with wide brims are better as they also cover your ears and spots like your neck and nape.
Avoid Being Out in the Sun Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Between the hours of 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon is when the sun rays are at their harshest. If possible, plan your activities early in the morning or late in the afternoon. If it’s unavoidable to be out and exposed during those hours, make sure you find shade and wear protective clothing or bring an umbrella with you.
What Are the Risk Factors for Dangerous Effects of UV Radiation Exposure?
While people of all skin types and colors are at risk for harmful effects of exposure to UV radiation like sunburn, you have to be extra careful if you:
It’s best to talk to your physician about the sun-care precautions that you should be taking if you are taking meds for a condition that might be affected by sun sensitivity. Remember that even when it’s a fairly overcast day up to 80% of the UV rays get through the clouds so you must be protected as much as possible.
What Does the FDA Recommend?
The FDA works hard to ensure that the sunscreen products available for consumers are not only safe but also effective. Due to the scientific evidence that links UVA exposure to skin cancers and other dangers, the FDA proposed a rule in 2019 that all sunscreens should have SPF values of no less than 15. Also, the FDA recommended that the labeling of SPF be done in a way that consumers can easily see them and make comparisons. The maximum proposed SPF value now is at SPF 60+.
Conclusion
As much as we need the sun, it cannot be denied that it can damage the skin significantly. It is important that you wear sunscreen on your face and body whenever you go out, no matter what the weather is like. Then, to help fight off the aging effects of the sun’s rays like sun spots and wrinkles, make sure that you apply a good anti-aging cream before you retire at night.
Bluelene is the maker of one of the best anti-aging face creams in the United States. Our products are known to stimulate skin cells so they produce collagen and elastin, keeping the skin from aging and correcting the damages from sun exposure. Check out our products today and improve your skin care routine!
